/ əˈbɔːʃn; NAmE əˈbɔːrʃn/ noun
1.
[ U ] the deliberate ending of a pregnancy at an early stage :
to support / oppose abortion
a woman's right to abortion
abortion laws
I've always been anti-abortion.
2.
[ C ] a medical operation to end a pregnancy at an early stage :
She decided to have an abortion .
SYN termination
—compare miscarriage
For more information see the Cultural Guide
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from Latin abortio(n-) , from aboriri miscarry, from ab- away, from + oriri be born.